Chickens for 10-20 years or more? Pull up a rockin' chair and lay some wisdom on us!

[bruceh]

Is there a possibility that she thought she was PROTECTING her territory from an intruder? Take her in with the chickens, and see how she acts now. If she's OK, you've got yourself a LGD. Some major obedience training wouldn't hurt.

i am 3 x on that one. she was protecting.

 

[bruceh]

Wowza!!! The dog thing really took off in my short absence!!! Took the pack out to the barn to tuck the chicks in and violate the hens. Kept the nutter butter on a leash (will be doing this always, until i get a little more respect/attention from her) Took about 1 minute of corrections to stop her walking ahead of me, then she happily walked on a loose leash by my side. Tied her up by the barn door when I got there, so I could work more efficiently. After I violated all the layers, I took the last one out to her and let her sniff it, she wasn't too interested. I decided to up the ante and just held the hens legs, letting her sit on my hand and flap her wings. I fully expected the switch to flip and see 'that look' in the pups eyes, but instead she lowered her head and tail and diverted her eyes, then just walked away!

I was truly shocked. I guess there is hope for her afterall.


So allow me to steer this crazy train back on course for a minute. I have identified my 3rd layer and I can see a difference in the vents of the two that I haven't felt an egg in for 3 days in a row. Should I cull those two, or wait till spring??

Bee, I saw a litter of american bulldog/GP pups for sale on craigslist today.. cute little buggers.
http://bloomington.craigslist.org/pet/3414277856.html

good doggie. i use mastiffs. they are good in the day but night they are in with us. very protective of the humans.

 

[bruceh]

sorry guys . i have not had much time but to follow on the threads. been very busy.after next week i will be back in full swing.

@smeyers. when i violate my birds they wink back at me. i am in agreement with bee not a good time to figure out who is laying. the winter time is just to short on day light and cold out.


this is for bee and all others. my cross beak chicken , who is a my pet (. i will deny if anyone asks if i keep a pet chicken ) decides she wants more of my time. follows me like a puppy. to day she was at the front door. the other day she walked into my neighbors house, down the hall and jumped right in their bath tub. that bird i have to give more chicks for her to raise. she needs counseling .

.

 

[smyers32]

i am 3 x on that one. she was protecting.

Ya know, the ridiculous part is the pit bull was just sniffing the pig until the 6lb yorkie went on the 'attack' then the pit just followed suit (albeit more effectively). Everytime I'd call the pit off the yorkie would stir the pot again, instigating little biotch.

 

[Beekissed]

That's some bird!

 

[donrae]

The whole alpha thing is also what so many folks can't understand with roosters. So many folks post about their mean roosters, and honestly the first thing I want to ask is "does your dog obey you? How about your kids?" Cause if you're just not dominate to be above an animal that wants a leader as much as most family dogs do, then you need to stick with hens. Those folks will go through a dozen roosters and just come to the conclusion "all roosters are mean". Where as I've only had two roosters culled to attacking in keeping birds almost 20 years.

 

[Beekissed]

I'm asking the same thing in my head also!

It's a 2 ft. tall animal....how hard can it be to change his mind? I've not had to cull any roosters for aggression in 36 years. It's all in your intention and attitude...what rooster can continue in an aggressive frame of mind when confronted with a creature that is so much smarter, immensely larger and way more assertive in nature than he ever could be in his wildest chicken dreams? He is FOOD and it shouldn't take long to convince any rooster of that fact.

 

[galanie]

I'm asking the same thing in my head also!  It's a 2 ft. tall animal....how hard can it be to change his mind?  I've not had to cull any roosters for aggression in 36 years.  It's all in your intention and attitude...what rooster can continue in an aggressive frame of mind when confronted with a creature that is so much smarter, immensely larger and way more assertive in nature than he ever could be in his wildest chicken dreams?  He is FOOD and it shouldn't take long to convince any rooster of that fact. 

 

Hahaha I have always marveled myself at people that cannot seem to get the upper hand on a creature that is around a foot tall. My kids, my cats, my dogs, and even the neighbors bow to my will. Ok maybe not the neighbors. And certainly not this 14 ounce cockatiel. But but but yeah, everyone else does. As a letter carrier, I laughed at others who were scared of the "Smith's" teeny weenie dog for example too. Come now, people, just walk through the little monster. If something that itty bitty scares you, just what will you do when a real threat arrives?

 

[Leahs Mom]

Hahaha I have always marveled myself at people that cannot seem to get the upper hand on a creature that is around a foot tall. My kids, my cats, my dogs, and even the neighbors bow to my will. Ok maybe not the neighbors. And certainly not this 14 ounce cockatiel. But but but yeah, everyone else does. As a letter carrier, I laughed at others who were scared of the "Smith's" teeny weenie dog for example too. Come now, people, just walk through the little monster. If something that itty bitty scares you, just what will you do when a real threat arrives?

Funny you should mention that. My dad was a letter carrier too and I don't remember him having any problems.

When I was a kid out selling the obligatory things that kids sell (like school fund raisers and gs cookies) I would unlatch a gate behind which a large, mean german shepherd was standing, look it in the eye and tell it to move, and walk right up to the door and knock. No problems. If I was with someone else, they'd be petrified and think I was nuts (maybe I was...) but I never had a problem. If I was riding a bike and a dog started chasing me I'd stop the bike. look it in the eye and tell it to stop. No problems. If one would approach closer than I was happy with I'd put the foot out, all the while looking it straight in the eye and telling it to stop.

Never had any problems...but my timid companions would have been chased up a tree. First rule when dealing with a charging dog DON'T RUN. You run, they chase.

 

[galanie]

Funny you should mention that.  My dad was a letter carrier too and I don't remember him having any problems. 

When I was a kid out selling the obligatory things that kids sell (like school fund raisers and gs cookies) I would unlatch a gate behind which a large, mean german shepherd was standing, look it in the eye and tell it to move, and walk right up to the door and knock.  No problems.  If I was with someone else, they'd be petrified and think I was nuts (maybe I was...) but I never had a problem.  If I was riding a bike and a dog started chasing me I'd stop the bike. look it in the eye and tell it to stop.  No problems.  If one would approach closer than I was happy with I'd put the foot out, all the while looking it straight in the eye and telling it to stop.

Never had any problems...but my timid companions would have been chased up a tree.  First rule when dealing with a charging dog DON'T RUN.  You run, they chase.

Absolutely. The worst that look as though they are going to eat you alive and have you pretty much convinced that they indeed are will still be intimidated by that mail bag in front of you.. as you charge them. Not so much as you're running though. The worst thing a postman could ever do is use that pepper spray on them. It only makes them meaner and hate mail carriers even more.

PS - the oldest guys still had those child sized wooden baseball bats that they quit selling at toy stores around 30 years ago. Best dog deterrents ever. Especially when properly applied.